Skip to main content

A Weekend in Community

ATTEND ONE OFFERING OR ALL—MOVE, BREATHE, SING, CONNECT

Join us for a multi-day experience rooted in joy, presence, and connection. Whether you are called to movement, stillness, sound, or simply wish to spend time in community, this weekend allows for you to participate in the ways that feel right to you.

You may choose to arrive on Friday for a meal, evening arati, (ritual of light) and kirtan (devotional singing) with the Mount Madonna community—gathering together at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. On Saturday, participate in two yoga classes, a guided walk to Sunset Ridge, as well as other optional activities.  Finally, on Sunday, stay on to participate in morning arati, an All-Levels Yoga Class, and special daytime programming at the Temple.

You are welcome to come for a one-night, two-night (or more) Personal Retreat; or simply join us for a Mountain Experience day visit on Saturday, and fully immerse yourself in community, practice, and nature.

Arrive as you are and stay for the unfolding.

To Participate:

  • Register for a Mountain Experience on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Check in at 10:00 a.m., depart at 7:00 p.m.; includes brunch and dinner, guided nature walk and afternoon yoga class, and personal time.

Cost: $85 for adults and children 13+; $50 for children 5 – 12 years old; free for children 4 years & under

  • Book a Personal Retreat for the weekend of Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24 — with the option to come for part of the weekend or extend your stay before or after the program.

Join us for a weekend stay and enjoy special offerings including evening kirtan at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Saturday’s integrated yoga class, “Yoga Inspired by Ayurveda.” Your stay also includes shared meals, evening and morning arati, and access to the facilities and miles of hiking and walking trails.

Cost: Based on lodging selection and number of nights

Weekend Yoga Classes

Please note that all Yoga classes are appropriate for young adults ages 13+.

Classical Ashtanga Yoga | Saturday, August 23, 7:30 – 9:45 a.m.

An all-levels class offering breathing practices, meditation, and movement methods to quiet the mind and develop concentration. The practice includes one hour of pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation followed by a brief break and then 70 minutes of asana (postures). Taught by various teachers trained in classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path) in the lineage of Baba Hari Dass.

Yoga Inspired by Ayurveda | Saturday, August 23, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

Explore how the foundational principles of Ayurveda can deepen your practice of Yoga in this special integrated class taught by Jen Rand, MA, RYT 500.

Ayurveda is an ancient science that is often referred to as Yoga’s sister science. Both disciplines honor the five elements. In this course, participants explore how the basic foundational principles of Ayurveda can be applied to a yoga practice. Through presentation and practice that includes pranayama and asana, you will embody these two sciences, united by the concept of prana (vital life energy), to understand each more fully.

All-Levels Yoga Class | Sunday, August 24, 2025, 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.

A moderately paced class that combines breath, meditation, and poses to balance the physical and subtle body led by Emily Crotty, RYT 500, Ayurvedic Practitioner. Expect a short seated portion of class with guided breath and meditation, and a yummy asana sequence that balances flow and holds, challenge and restoration.

Additional offerings on the mountain include: 

Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 22
3:00 - 5:00pm Personal Retreat Arrival & Check-in
5:15 - 6:15pm Dinner
6:00pm - 7:00pm Evening arati
7:00 - 8:30pm Community kirtan
Saturday, August 23
6:00 – 7:00am Arati
7:30 - 9:45am Classical Ashtanga Yoga
10:00am Mountain Experience Arrival & Check-in
10:00 - 11:00am Brunch
11:30am - 12:30pm Guided campus tour to Sunset Ridge
12:30 - 3:00pm Personal time
3:00 - 5:00pm Yoga Inspired by Ayurveda
5:15 - 6:15pm Dinner
6:00 - 7:00pm Arati
7:00pm Mountain Experience Program Concludes
Sunday, August 24
6:00 – 7:00amArati
7:00 - 8:00am All-Levels Yoga
8:30 - 9:00am Breakfast
9:00am - 11:00am Personal time
11:00am Check out of accommodations
12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch
2:00 - 6:30pm Special Temple programming*

*Please note: Saturday overnight guests are welcome to stay for special Temple programming; however, dinner is not included.

Schedule subject to change. Registrants will be notified.

Personal Retreat

Date

Friday - Sunday, Aug 22 - 24, 2025

Location

In-Person
445 Summit Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

Presenters

  • Jen Rand
    Jen Rand
    MA, RYT 500

    Jen completed her 200-, 300-, and 500-hour trainings in classical Ashtanga Yoga with Mount Madonna Institute. She is experienced in teaching students of all ages both in-person and online and works with students in Ayurveda and Yoga trainings at Mount Madonna. Her yoga practice is deeply influenced by her studies of Ayurveda, which allow her to offer options and modifications to help students tailor their practice to what they need. She is currently pursuing her studies in Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. In addition to practicing yoga, she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking with her dog, and spending time with her husband and cat.

  • About the Instructors
    About the Instructors

    This program is taught by Mount Madonna Yoga Faculty, many of whom were senior students of Baba Hari Dass, and have studied classical Ashtanga Yoga for many years.

  • Emily Crotty
    Emily Crotty

    Yoga teacher of 10 years and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Emily is passionate about wellness across all the layers of human experience, from physical body to subtle body to spirit. Her training started in 2014 at the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. Since completing her 500-hour YTT at Mount Madonna Institute in 2021, her yoga classes combine the traditional teachings of Baba Hari Dass with her experience in many styles of yoga including vinyasa, restorative, and yin.

  • Tuition & Fees

    Personal Retreat:

    • Rates based on choice of accommodations and number of nights.

    Mountain Experience (Saturday ONLY):

    • Adults: $85
    • Children ages 13 and older: $85
    • Children 5 - 12 years old: $50
    • Children 4 years and under: FREE
  • Registration Details

    This special weekend in community is available to Personal Retreat overnight and other registered guests, and Mountain Experience day visitors (Saturday only). Use the "Personal Retreat" button above or the "Mountain Experience" button below to book.

    Mountain Experience


    Useful Information

    • Included in the Personal Retreat: Community kirtan, evening and morning arati, vegetarian meals in community, scheduled yoga classes, a guided walk to Sunset Ridge, access to the Temple and 380 acres of hiking trails, walking paths, and indoor amenities. Wellness treatments and Ayurvedic consultations are not included but may be booked in advance.
    • Reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the day of your visit.
    • Arrival & Departure (overnight stay): Check in between 3:00 and 12:00pm. Check out is at 11:00 a.m.; however, you may stay for lunch and depart by 5:00pm.
    • Included in the Mountain Experience: Two vegetarian meals, a scheduled yoga class, a guided walk to Sunset Ridge, access to the Temple and 380 acres of hiking trails, walking paths, and indoor amenities. Wellness treatments and Ayurvedic consultations are not included but may be booked in advance.
    • Reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the day of your visit.
    • Arrival & Departure (day visit): Check in between 10:00am and 12:00pm; and depart by 7:00pm.